October is a very nice time of year to spend an afternoon outdoors playing chess in San Francisco. Back in 2009, Market Street had a vibrant chess scene. Hector Torres (no relation to me) would put out tables and chairs near the Powell BART Station and rent the spaces to chess hustlers. Whenever I wasContinue reading "Happy Halloween (Gambit) 2"
A Very Fun and Spooky Chess Tournament
This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of attending the Spooky Swiss hosted by the Berkeley Chess School. BCS decked out the spacious playing hall in Halloween decor and almost all of the young chess players arrived in costumes. As I analyzed games, I noticed how well played they were, which is a testament toContinue reading "A Very Fun and Spooky Chess Tournament"
Nine Years Have Passed
Nine years have elapsed since the untimely departure of my dear friend Emory Tate. Though he has crossed into the threshold of the great beyond, the indelible mark he left upon my life remains a testament to his character. The laughter we shared, the wisdom he imparted, and the unwavering support we offered each otherContinue reading "Nine Years Have Passed "
Puzzle Worthy Position 50
In chess and in life, it’s not a victory until you cross the finish line. Throughout the history of chess there are numerous examples of players overcoming bleak circumstances with one extraordinary move which was overlooked by their opponent. However, few are as stunning as the combination that GM Lenier Dominguez Perez used to escapeContinue reading "Puzzle Worthy Position 50"
Puzzle Worthy Position 49
After a truly dominating performance at the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi’s rating rose to a career high of 2797.2. This means, Arjun has surpassed GM Fabiano Caruana and is now ranked third in the world! GM Erigaisi’s play in 2024 has been as dominating as any chess player inContinue reading "Puzzle Worthy Position 49"
Plenty of Hidden Gems Played at the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad 2024
With 1,884 participants(975 in Open and 909 in Women's event) taking part 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad 2024 in Budapest, there is no shortage of quality chess games to play through. Many outstanding games could potentially go unnoticed so it is important for chess writers to share the hidden gems they find. Once such hidden gemContinue reading "Plenty of Hidden Gems Played at the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad 2024"
Gukesh Easily Punishes His Opponent’s Mistakes in Round 5 of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad 2024
In Round 5 of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad 2024, chess fans were treated to a superbly played Italian Game by Grandmaster Gukesh D. (India) where he instantly punishes the two mistakes played by GM Aydin Suleymanli (Azerbaijan). Of note, is how easy Gukesh makes defeating another Grandmaster seem. In reality, it is a testamentContinue reading "Gukesh Easily Punishes His Opponent’s Mistakes in Round 5 of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad 2024"
A Troitsky-esque Finale to a Game at the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad 2024
All chess players should know that two knights alone can't force checkmate. However, if you give the defending side one pawn, sometimes the knights can force checkmate because the single pawn’s ability to move prevents a stalemating defense. It is possible to checkmate a King with two Knights but it can not be forced. However,Continue reading "A Troitsky-esque Finale to a Game at the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad 2024"
Role Reversal in Round 2 of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad 2024
If you watch television often, you have probably seen an episode of your favorite sitcom where two characters swap roles. In this kind of plot, characters experience a different reality where they briefly switch roles with someone else. Hollywood regularly uses this plot device in popular shows but role reversals also occur in chessboard dramasContinue reading "Role Reversal in Round 2 of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad 2024"
Beautiful Queen Trapping Tactic from the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad 2024
The first round of the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad is in the books and we already have a major upset. Xavier Mompel Ferruz, a teenage FIDE Master from Equatorial Guinea, took down the Grandmaster and multi-time Icelandic National Champion, Gudmundur Kjartansson. FM Ferruz had no problems facing GM Gudmundur Kjartansson’s King’s Indian Attack and whenContinue reading "Beautiful Queen Trapping Tactic from the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad 2024"
Musings on the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest
https://youtu.be/1UhF7OGf4dY Greetings Chess Players. My name is Coach Tortoise and I have been a chess analyst for a really long time. The Chess Olympiad of the year 2024 shall take place in the splendid city of Budapest from the 11th to the 23rd of September. Inherently, Chess Olympiads serve as grand celebrations of the nobleContinue reading "Musings on the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest"
Making New Chess Friends at Dolores Park in San Francisco
As a chess professional, my life has often revolved around the intense world of competitive chess—tournaments, training sessions, etcetera . However, recently, I’ve found a refreshing escape from that labor intensive environment: casual chess games at (Mission) Dolores Park in San Francisco. Chris Torres hard at work reviewing games at a youth chess tournament. OnContinue reading "Making New Chess Friends at Dolores Park in San Francisco"
Musings on the Forthcoming Match Between Magnus Carlsen and Hans Niemann
https://youtu.be/XXYjQd_sdwE Greetings Chess Players. My name is Coach Tortoise and I have been a chess analyst for a really long time. On the fourth day of September in the year two thousand and twenty-two, a most remarkable drama unfolded at the esteemed Sinquefield Cup, wherein Hans Niemann did astonish the chess community by vanquishing theContinue reading "Musings on the Forthcoming Match Between Magnus Carlsen and Hans Niemann "
So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 57
Black’s King just captured my Rook on f8. What move do you think I played? Be sure to analyze all of your checks, captures and threats and then let me know what you think is best. What is white’s best move?
Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle 78
Tonight’s puzzle is another Mate in 4 problem by the German chess composer Arthur Klinke. I found the solution to this chess problem to be truly ingenious in a rather mechanical way. I betcha can’t solve this chess puzzle, but if you do be prepared to be amazed! White to move and mate in 4(ArthurContinue reading "Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle 78"
Paul Morphy and the Art of Checkmating
For Paul Morphy, winning at chess was a performance art. He was always striving to produce masterpieces. Morphy’s unique talent, theoretical knowledge, and creativity allowed him to steer chess games toward spectacular finishes that are still admired centuries later. His checkmating combinations are some of the most beautiful ever played and to this day, chessContinue reading "Paul Morphy and the Art of Checkmating"
Chess Spies
Recently, a young chess student of mine was excited to tell me all about the Spy Camp he attended. After describing the “field skills” he learned such as using a grappling hook, my student showed me a couple codes written in simple ciphers. I was happy to see him so enthusiastic about what he learned.Continue reading "Chess Spies"
Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle 77
Arthur Klinke (March 1, 1887 - July 23, 1942) was an important German chess composer. Beyond composing, Klinke shared his love for chess puzzles as the editor of the Arbeiter-Schachzeitung (workers' chess newspaper) published in Chemnitz, and later became the chairman of the Chess Problems Association in Deutschen Arbeiter-Schachbund (German Workers' Chess Association). The lastContinue reading "Betcha Can’t Solve This #Chess Puzzle 77"
So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 56
Recently, I found my self playing a casual chess game at Rook Odds against the Pirc Defense. I am by no means an expert on Pirc theory so I simply developed my pieces to good squares quickly. When a tactical opportunity arose, I went for it using a pattern I remember from Chernev’s “1000 BestContinue reading "So I was just playing a game of #chess and then this happened! 56"
Ding Liren vs Gukesh D: A Preview
In a game that serves as a preview for the upcoming FIDE World Championship Match, the reigning World Champion Ding Liren was paired against his challenger Gukesh D in the first round of the 2024 Sinquefield Cup in St. Louis. This is the first time the two have played a classical game of chess againstContinue reading "Ding Liren vs Gukesh D: A Preview"